Infineon Technologies, regarded as a leading manufacturer of components for mobility solutions, recently announced a partnership with automotive technology company REE Automotive.

The two companies will work together on sustainable mobility solutions, ranging from robotaxis, commercial vans, passenger shuttles, and other types of electric vehicles.

Partnership delivers REEcorner mobility technology 

Infineon Technologies and REE Automotive have developed REEcorner technology. This innovation stores important vehicle components in one compact module, enabling REE Automotive to manufacture fully flat electric vehicle platforms. 

The flagship P7 electric vehicle platform from REE uses four REEcorners, using the company’s x-by-wire technology. The electric vehicle platform reportedly offers generous interior space for passengers, as well as cargo and batteries. The design and technology allows automotive manufacturers to build vehicles “tailored to their exact needs,” as put by REE.

“Infineon is an important forerunner in the mobility transformation. The REEcorner technology demonstrates the breadth and flexibility of our high-quality semiconductor technologies and system expertise,” said Peter Schiefer, President of the Automotive Division of Infineon. 

“Innovative and modular EV platform designs add new options for both established and emerging industry players to further accelerate electromobility.”

“REE provides customers with full design freedom to create the broadest range of EVs and autonomous vehicles for current and future applications,” said Daniel Barel, REE Co-Founder and CEO. 

“Electric vehicles powered by REE are geared to deliver substantial benefits to customers, including significantly reduced Total Cost of Ownership, enhanced manoeuvrability and safety with x-by-wire steering and drive and operational efficiencies.”   

How does REE’s mobility platform work?

The REE platform reportedly uses 11 microcontrollers to increase safety and cybersecurity, namely regarding drive-by-wire requirements. There are two AURIX microcontrollers in each REEcorner module, which are used to judge a vehicle’s driving functions such as accelerating or braking. A further two microcontrollers are used as domain controllers, which collect and control data, as well as keeping the four REEcorner modules in synchronisation. Another microcontroller is used for vehicle chassis management. Infineon Technologies provides components such as magnetic sensors and more. 

Infineon Technologies describes itself as a market leader in producing automotive semiconductors, “pairing the broadest automotive semiconductor product portfolio with system-level competence.” The company offers sensors, microcontrollers, along with other components like semiconductors. 

Infineon expands its portfolio after partnership with VinFast 

Infineon’s announcement with REE Automotive follows its recent partnership extension with VinFast, regarded as Vietnam’s first global smart electric car manufacturer. 

The two companies will reportedly work together to establish a joint application competence centre, the VinFast–Infineon Competence Center (VICC),  that will focus on electro-mobility in the city of Hanoi, with the purpose of accelerating VinFast’s development of smart mobility solutions. Said centre is anticipated to be inaugurated within the first quarter of 2023. 

In a joint-statement, both companies acknowledged that the establishment of this competence centre represents “a new level in the relationship” between them. Both companies will be engaged with the early development phase of VinFast’s smart mobility solutions. To begin with, the centre will focus on developing a new electric drivetrain, part of a wider strategy to connect mobility platforms around the world. 

“VinFast’s goal is to create smart mobility solutions for a sustainable future,” said Mdm. Le Thi Thu Thuy, Vice Chairwoman of Vingroup and Global CEO of VinFast. 

“We are thrilled to extend our partnership with Infineon – the leader in semiconductors for electromobility. Infineon’s advanced products and solutions will help to enhance VinFast’s production efficiencies and support us reach our goals faster.”

“The growth of electromobility is undisputed,” said Peter Schaefer, Executive Vice President and CMO of the Automotive division at Infineon. “Infineon is committed to driving this progress together with partners like VinFast that demonstrate high execution speed and strong determination. We will assist VinFast’s electrification journey and support the advancement of their electric platform designs.”